Three firefighters sustained varying degrees of injuries after battling a massive fire triggered by a petrol tanker explosion at the AYM Shafa filling station in Abuja on Thursday night.
The Federal Capital Territory Fire Service confirmed the development on Friday, saying one of the injured firefighters was receiving intensive care at the Trauma Centre of the National Hospital, Abuja.
The service’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Muhammad, said the filling station, located in Area 3, Garki, caught fire after a fuel tanker loaded with petrol exploded.
Muhammad said the FCT Fire Service received a distress call at about 9:44 p.m. and immediately deployed personnel and firefighting equipment to the scene.
He said: “Owing to the magnitude of the incident, other fire service authorities also joined the emergency response, resulting in a coordinated inter-agency firefighting operation.
“In the course of controlling and putting the fire off, three of our firefighters were grossly injured, with one currently receiving intensive medical care at the Trauma Centre of National Hospital, Abuja.
“Medical specialists are making effort to ensure his recovery, while the other two were rushed to Alliance Hospital, Area 11, Garki, Abuja and are receiving medical treatment.”
He added that the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
“Members of the public are advised to refrain from speculation and await the outcome of the official investigation,” he said.
Muhammad commended sister emergency agencies, security personnel and members of the public for supporting the coordinated response, while praising the courage and professionalism of the firefighters.
According to him, the swift intervention prevented what could have become a far more devastating disaster.
He said preliminary findings showed that the filling station and adjoining structures suffered extensive damage.
“One fuel tanker loaded with approximately 45,000 litres of petroleum product was engulfed by the fire.
“Preliminary damage assessment reveals that 13 fuel dispensing pumps were within the affected facility.
“Three fuel dispensers were directly affected by the fire, while two civilian vehicles were completely burnt.
“Parts of the Federal Revenue Service (FRS) office and sections of Ahmad Plaza, a two-storey commercial building beside the station were affected by the incident.”
Muhammad urged operators of filling stations, commercial facilities and members of the public to comply strictly with fire safety regulations, maintain fire protection systems and promptly report fire emergencies through the appropriate channels.
He also quoted the Director of the FCT Fire Service, Adebayo Zacchaeus, as expressing concern over the condition of the injured firefighters and appealing to members of the public to remember them in their prayers as they continue receiving treatment.
According to Zacchaeus, the service remains committed to protecting lives and property through rapid emergency response, public education and strict enforcement of fire safety standards.
The emergency operation was personally supervised by the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel, alongside the Director of the FCT Fire Service and other tactical and rescue personnel.
